TIRANA – “The grave economic state worsened by the difficult situation we are going through does not give hope that something will change for the better in the near future.” This is the most alarming assessment on the deep abyss where Albania’s economy has plunged ever made by President Ilir Meta who addressed a message on the occasion of the 1st of May, Workers’ Day, on Friday.
What makes the statement sound more alarming is that the President does not see hope that something will change for the better in the near future. Under these circumstances Meta called for urgent reflection and concrete measures so that May 1 is no longer marked as an ordinary holiday, but as a holiday for workers’ achievements.
May 1st is a day when workers worldwide stand up for their rights and better economic conditions rather than to celebrate as on holidays, a weird habit which has continued until last year like it was done during the communist rule.
While mentioning the fact that Albania is again the country with the lower level of salaries in Europe, President Meta emphasized also that there is a profound loss of confidence in fair competition and meritocracy-based employment in both the public administration and public institutions.
“In the current conditions of poverty, deteriorating social services, and political tensions, the mass exodus of many workers, especially skilled workers, remains worrisome,” said Meta.
The President admitted that the economic situation has deteriorated due to the pandemic, and according to him its long-term consequences on country’s economy are expected to aggravate these negative phenomena. Also, a better cooperation is needed for supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, through a concrete strategy for the reopening of economy. Another concern of the President relates to the massive emigration of skilled workers due to poverty, depreciation of social services, political tensions.
Employees in the private sector still continue to express great dissatisfaction with the lack of a regular employment contract, non-compliance with working conditions and their rights, low wages and non-payment of social contributions.
“The situation calls for an urgent reflections and urgent measures… Workers should really profit from government’s packages,” Meta said, and in this frame he mentioned the need for better cooperation to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. Besides the concerns on the economic situation, the head of state was worried over what he called the ‘political tensions’ in the country.
Like in no country in Western Balkans the political fight has kept aggravating in Albania despite the life-threatening impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit the country one of the poorest in the region having also the most debilitated health system.
Meta closed his message by thanking doctors and nurses and all other staff which are on the forefront against COVID-19 in protection of the life of every citizen. /argumentum.al
